Loose-leaf binder



I 1,644 087 Oct. 4, 1927. I F E RUFF LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed oct. 11, 1926 Patented Get. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,644,087 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. RUFF, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO IRVING-PITT MANUFAG-. TUBING COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION 01 MISSOURI.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

' Application filed October ll, 1926. SerialNo. 140,807.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders and has for its primary object the provision of a novelly constructed binder which incorporates the use of an opener for the hook carrying toggle plates which serves the pur pose of a strengthener for the ordinary back of the binder as well as to perform the function of holding the back portion of the cover ing material of the book spaced from the supporting back plate to insure a desirable contour.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide atoggle plate actuating member for loose leaf binders of the ring type which is always held in a position ready to open the rings by the supporting toggle plates.

An even further object of the present invention is the provision of a ring-opening device. for loose leaf binders which is coextensive with the ordinary supporting back plate and which carries toggle plate engaging members which force the toggle plates to the open position when the coextensive member is pressed against the back plate.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a ring-opening means along the back of the binder which does not require that the operator concentrate an opening force on any particular point;

Minor objects and particular details of construction will appear during the course of the specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the present invention, parts being broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical central section through the same, showing the toggle plates in the closed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section of the binder metals showing the opening device in the two extreme positions and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the auxiliary back plate and toggle-en gaging members, the same being entirely removed from the binder.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and the numeral 5 designates an ordinary loose leaf binder of the ring type which is equipped with sheet-carrying rings 6 each formed of a pair of hooks supported by its respective toggle plate 7, which. in turn is secured in place by an arcuate spring plate 8. This spring plate 8 is aflixed in place by a supporting back plate 9, through the use of the well-known lug construction 10 and the linmg 12 of the binder may pass between plates 8 and 9 as shown in Fig. 3. l/Vhen binder board 17 is not used, this lining 12 is secured directly to the book-covering material 13 over the two covers of the binder, but parts therefrom as the binder metals are approached, thus permitting covering material 13 to be given a fullness around the back of the binder. I

In practicing the present invention, it may be necessary to permit covering material 13 to have a little more fullness than has here tofore been customary. This in order that the combined opener, strengthener and former may effectively perform the functions intended.

The preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawing and the opener preferably includes an auxiliary plate 14 which is disposed between covering material 13 and the arcuate supporting back plate 9. Auxiliary plate 14 is coextensive with the plate 9 as to width and should extend substantially the entire length thereof, the distance between its ends and the end of plate 9 being governed entirely upon the appearance it is desired to secure at the back of the binder.

- This auxiliary plate 14 should carry a plu-' rality of toggle plate engaging members 15 which in this instance are adjacent the two ends and which are in the form of pins which project upwardly through openings 16 formed in plate 9, lining 12 and plate 8.

These openings should be large enough to permit of free movement of the pin 15 therethrough and each of the pins 15 should be of the proper length so that when the toggle plates 7 are closed, the auxiliary plate 14 is held outwardly against covering 13 away from plate 9. When it is desired to open' the rings, this auxiliary plate 14 is merely forced against plate 9 and pins 15 push the plates to the open position shown in dotted lines of Fig. 3. When rings 6 are closed and the book is in the closed position, the back is given a very pleasing contour by auxiliary plate 14. The covering material 13 is not wrinkled or flabby and a slight pressure anywhere along the auxiliary plate 14 will readily open the rings 6.

When binder board is used in connection with the making of the book which includes this invention, the same may be inserted between lining 12 and covering material 13 to form the two covers as shown at 17. This lends rigidity and makes the binder susceptible of rough use. The tWo pieces of binder board forming the covers terminate near the hinge line as shown in Fig. 3, and a back strip 17 of binder board may be inserted between plate 14 and the full back portion of covering material 13. This strip 17' should be inserted without the use of glue and the same will be drawn up against the under surface of lining 12 and plate ll when the book is being assembled, and any glue or cement will fall thereon instead of directly on the covering material 13. Thus, covering material 13 will not be deprived of the fullness and looseness desirable at the binder back.

Having thus described the invention, to

V the details of which it is desired not to be pla.

limited what is desired to secure b Letters Patent is:

1 1. In a loose leaf binder of the character described having sheet-holding metals including a supporting back plate positioned between the lining and covering material of said binder. an auxiliary plate in juxtaposition to said supporting back plate, binder boards to which said lining and covering material are secured to form the covers of said binder and an additional strip of binder board positioned between said auxiliary plate and covering material, said strip being free of attachment whereby it is movable with said auxiliary plate and adjacent back portion of said covering'material.

2. In a loose leaf binder having rockingly mounted hook-carrying toggle plates and a supporting back plate, an auxiliary back extending longitudinally of said supporting plate and toggleplate-engaging members carried by said auxiliary plate movable to the toggle-actuating position as the auxiliary plate is pressed against said supporting back plate.

8. In a loose leaf binder having rockingly mounted hook-carrying toggle plates and a supporting back plate, means for actuating said toggles including an auxiliary back plate supported for movement toward and from the supporting back plate, said auxiliary plate being substantially coextensive with the back plate and held spaced there'- fromwhen said toggle plates are in the closed position.

4. In a loose leaf binder having rockingly mounted hook-carrying toggle plates and a supporting back plate, means'for actuating said toggle plates including an auxiliary back plate'supported for movement toward and from the supporting back plate, and toggle-engaging members carried by said auxiliary plate, said members extending through openings formed in said supporting back plate to engage said toggles whereby the same may be'moved to the open position when said auxiliary plate is pressed against said back plate.

5. The combination binder having rockingly mounted hookcarrying toggle plates and a supporting back plate, of an auxiliary back plate coextensive with said back plate and means for holding the same in spaced relation thereto engaging said toggle plates to open the same when the auxiliary plate is pressed against the supporting back plate.

6. The combination with a loose leaf binder having rockingly mounted, hookcarrying toggle plates and a supporting back plate, of an auxiliary back plate coextensive with said back plate, a toggle-plate-engaging member againsteach end of said auxiliary plate, said members each extending. through openings formed in said supporting back plate to engage said toggle plates whereby said auxiliary plate is maintained in spaced relation to said. supporting plate when the toggle plates are in the closed position and may be moved thereagainst to open said toggles.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aliixed my signature this 8th day of Gctober,

FRANK E. RUPF. 

